Podcast for international students with families
The team behind the Your Journey to Monash podcast has put together a series of episodes for international students who are planning on studying while supporting a family. Four senior students with families of their own share their experiences, and we welcome two guests onto the podcast – Kylie from Monash’s International Student Engagement team, who explains a few of the finer points around taking care of children in Australia; and Kristine from Monash Residential Services’ Off-campus Accommodation team, who chats to us about what international families should consider before they start renting in Melbourne.

Postgrad Parent Club
The MPA runs a fortnightly meetup for postgrad parents. Meet other parents over a cup of tea or coffee while your kids play. Partners are welcome to come along too. Contact Rhian Adlam to register.
When: Clayton – every second Thursday, 2:00pm at Saporo Cafe, New Horizons
Caulfield – every second Thursday, 10:00am at MONSU Cafe

Parenting rooms on campus
Did you know all of our campuses have special facilities for feeding, breastfeeding, expressing milk, baby changing and soothing? Visit the Find a parenting room page for locations.

Meet with other first time parents
Monash Council organises parent groups which enable first-time parents to meet in a supportive environment and learn valuable information. Groups are facilitated by qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurses who are there to answer any questions you have.

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What’s on for families

Free fun for arty kids
The Big Design Market offers free activities in a creative space just for kids, including decorating a cubby house and creating a mini garden.

Activities for kids over the summer holidays
Victoria school holidays start on Saturday December 22 and run until the end of January. The Victorian Government has compiled an extensive list of school holiday activities which should help keep your family occupied over summer. Festive families should check out this list of activities the City of Melbourne is holding for their Christmas Festival, including fun art installations and a gingerbread village. Carols by Candlelight is a famous Christmas event that started out in Melbourne and supports children who are blind or have low vision. Finally, if you’re planning on taking your family to see the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, you can plan ahead using the Victorian Government’s dedicated web page.

Postgrad Parent Club
The MPA runs a fortnightly meetup for postgrad parents. Meet other parents over a cup of tea or coffee while your kids play. Partners are welcome to come along too. Contact Rhian Adlam to register.
When: Clayton – every second Thursday, 2:00pm at Saporo Cafe, New Horizons
Caulfield – every second Thursday, 10:00am at MONSU Cafe

Free lunch and family fun on Cup Day – Tuesday 6 November

If a free a BBQ lunch, face painting, a jumping castle and unlimited popcorn sound appealing make sure you register for Cup Day. Hosted by the International Student Engagement Team this will a fun-filled event for you and your family. Registrations close 5pm Wednesday 31 October. Questions? Email us at: iss@monash.edu.

Parenting rooms on campus
Did you know all of our campuses have special facilities for feeding, breastfeeding, expressing milk, baby changing and soothing? Visit the Find a parenting room page for locations.

Meet with other first time parents
Monash Council organises parent groups which enable first-time parents to meet in a supportive environment and learn valuable information. Groups are facilitated by qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurses who are there to answer any questions you have.

Fair access to study for all Monash students
Have you been made to feel different? Do you need flexible study arrangements but feel like you aren’t being supported? If you ever feel like you’re being treated unfairly and not included you can speak to the Diversity and Inclusion team at Monash. We want to ensure Monash is a safe space for all people. All discussions are confidential.  You can contact Student Diversity and Inclusion on 9904 9499 or send them an email at: diversity-inclusion@monash.edu.

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What’s On for families

Things for families to do this month

• Take a look a the City of Melbourne’s calendar of workshops for everything from Christmas Storytime sessions to cooking classes for kids.
• Every summer since 1987 the Australian Shakespeare Company’s production of The Wind in the Willows has played in the same spot at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Come along for a classically Australian experience.
• Budding young green thumbs will love visiting the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and exploring water features, a bamboo forest and a plant tunnel.
• Curious kids should pay a visit to the Melbourne Museum to check out a living rainforest, the racehorse Phar Lap, as well as a special Children’s Gallery for little ones under 5. Entry is free for kids under 16.
• Head out to Phillip Island with your family for a day to visit A Maze’N Things, a uniquely Aussie adventure park with ‘maxi-golf’, mazes and playgrounds.